Podqi
Podqi operates an AI-native brand protection platform that automates detection, takedown, and revenue recovery for IP infringements across 1,500+ digital channels. Founded in 2024, the San Francisco company serves brand owners, entertainment firms, law firms, and e-commerce brands via enterprise SaaS and a free Brandsweep.ai tool.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2024
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Podqi does
Podqi operates an AI-native brand protection platform that automates the detection, takedown, and revenue-recovery workflow for intellectual property infringements across digital marketplaces, social platforms, app stores, and domains. The company was founded in 2024 by Trevor West (CEO), Ivan Esmeral (CPO), and Jesse Xu (CTO), Penn computer science alumni with prior experience at Microsoft and Google, and is headquartered in San Francisco as Podqi, Inc. Its core product is the Podqi Brand Protection Platform, supported by modules covering brand-abuse detection, stolen imagery and logo matching, copycat site removal, automated enforcement, evidence packaging, and impact intelligence. A free public tool, Brandsweep.ai, functions as a top-of-funnel acquisition channel for smaller brands.
The platform combines proprietary computer vision (image matching reported at 99.8% accuracy, tolerant to cropping, recoloring, and text overlays) with NLP, anomaly detection, and autonomous-agent process automation to scan millions of potential infringements daily across more than 1,500 channels. Direct prioritized-review integrations with Meta, Google, and Shopify, alongside relationships with Etsy, Redbubble, and Printerval, enable reported 48-hour takedown response times versus the 14-day standard in legacy enforcement; the system generates litigation-ready evidence packages automatically and is reported to handle 95% of enforcement without human intervention.
Podqi generates revenue through custom annual SaaS subscriptions priced on a quote basis, with onboarding and platform configuration bundled into signed agreements and non-refundable payment terms. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales targeting brand owners, entertainment companies, and law firms with a product-led growth motion through Brandsweep.ai. Named customers span streetwear (Madhappy, Hellstar), beauty (Jones Road Beauty), publishing (KLS Press), entertainment and media (Wu-Tang Clan, Warner Bros., Comcast/NBCUniversal), and celebrity estates (CMG Worldwide). The company closed a $3.2 million seed round led by General Catalyst, with participation from Soma Capital, Afore Capital, and strategic angel investors, in March 2025.
Podqi firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Podqi
- Legal name
- Podqi, Inc.
- Website
- https://podqi.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2024
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Podqi operates an AI-native brand protection platform that automates detection, takedown, and revenue recovery for IP infringements across 1,500+ digital channels. Founded in 2024, the San Francisco company serves brand owners, entertainment firms, law firms, and e-commerce brands via enterprise SaaS and a free Brandsweep.ai tool.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Podqi industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Brand Protection Software
- NAICS
- Security Systems Services (except Locksmiths) (561621), Investigation, Guard, and Armored Car Services (56161), Security Systems Services (56162)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII) (HDAEANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- POD Distribution & Retail Integration (Marketplace/Bookstore Feeds) (MPAJANAK)
Keywords
Where Podqi is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Podqi business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- SaaS Platform Subscription: Cloud-based SaaS service with subscription model governed by signed agreements. Services are digitally delivered via secure login platform. Default cancellation is 30 days written notice. Payments are non-refundable unless explicitly stated in the signed agreement. Onboarding and platform configuration included in service delivery.
- Professional Services: Onboarding services included as part of customer agreements. The company delivers tailored implementation and platform configuration as part of the service.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Custom enterprise SaaS subscription |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Podqi product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Podqi is an AI-native SaaS platform that detects IP and brand infringements across 1,500+ marketplaces, domains, app stores, and social platforms, then automates takedowns and produces litigation-ready evidence packages. Its AI handles 95% of enforcement without human intervention, with proprietary image-matching at 99.8% accuracy. A free self-service companion tool, Brandsweep.ai, lets any brand scan for IP abuse before upgrading to the paid platform.
Product overview
Podqi is an AI-native brand protection platform offering a unified system for detecting brand infringements, automating takedowns, and recovering lost revenue. The core Podqi Brand Protection Platform is supported by specialized modules including Brand Abuse Detection, Stolen Imagery & Logo Detection, Copycat Site Removal, Evidence Packages, Automated Enforcement, and Impact Intelligence. The platform also offers Brandsweep.ai as a free public tool for initial brand scanning. All modules operate across 1500+ marketplaces, domains, app stores, and social platforms globally, with 95% of enforcement handled automatically without human intervention.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Brandsweep.ai: The world's first free, public brand protection tool that allows brands to scan and identify IP infringement.
Products and services
- Podqi Brand Protection Platform AI-native SaaS platform that detects every brand infringement, automates every takedown, and recovers lost revenue across an enterprise brand's IP portfolio. Monitors 1,500+ marketplaces, domains, app stores, and social platforms globally, with same-day detection, 95% automated enforcement, and litigation-ready evidence packaging. Sold to enterprise and mid-market brand owners, entertainment companies, law firms, and e-commerce brands.
- Brandsweep.ai Free, public brand-protection tool that lets any brand scan their IP and see who is abusing it. Serves as a self-service entry point that surfaces infringement exposure and converts users into paid Podqi customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1.2-day average resolution time vs. 14 days standard response time for legacy enforcement
- +9 more outcomes
Companies that use Podqi
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Podqi technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability6 records
Feature8 records
Podqi partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship, core and supporting.
- Studio 71minorListed as a partner/backer of Podqi, representing an entertainment industry partnership.
- NegoshminorListed as a partner/backer of Podqi.
- OneLiveminorListed as a partner/backer of Podqi.
- Licensing InternationalflagshipEstablished relationship with industry-leading organization Licensing International, positioning Podqi as the comprehensive solution for modern brand protection. Advisory board includes Ellis Lindsey (Brand CFO & COO at Essilor Luxxotica) and Stuart Pollock (Board Member of Licensing International).
- MetacoreDirect platform relationship enabling prioritized takedown requests that bypass standard brand reporting queues. Achieves 48-hour response times vs. days/weeks for standard reporting.
- GooglecoreDirect platform relationship for removal of infringing ads and listings without manual filing. Prioritized review pipeline for faster takedowns.
- ShopifycoreDirect integration with Shopify enables expedited removals, typically completing within 48 hours.
- EtsysupportingDirect relationships with print-on-demand platforms including Etsy to expedite takedowns for counterfeit merchandise.
- RedbubblesupportingDirect relationships with print-on-demand platforms including Redbubble to expedite takedowns for counterfeit merchandise.
- PrintervalsupportingDirect relationships with print-on-demand platforms including Printerval to expedite takedowns for counterfeit merchandise.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Podqi competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BrandShield: BrandShield provides AI-based brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, and anti-phishing detection for enterprise customers across digital channels. Its product scope, target customer profile, and detection-then-enforcement workflow are highly analogous to Podqi's.
- Red Points: Red Points is a leading AI-powered brand protection and IP enforcement platform covering marketplaces, apps, and domains. It is one of Podqi's closest direct competitors, with comparable automated takedown capabilities and a similar enterprise SaaS go-to-market motion.
- Bolster: Bolster offers an AI platform for detecting and removing counterfeit listings, phishing sites, and brand impersonation at scale. It competes directly with Podqi in automated takedown across marketplaces and domains.
Emerging players
- SnapDragon Monitoring: SnapDragon Monitoring provides online brand and IP protection services including counterfeit detection and takedown for SMB and mid-market brands. It competes in Podqi's segment but with a smaller platform footprint and more services-led delivery.
- MarqVision: MarqVision is an AI-driven brand protection and anti-counterfeiting platform that automates detection and removal across marketplaces. It targets a similar enterprise and D2C customer base as Podqi and is a credible emerging competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Corsearch: Corsearch provides trademark clearance, brand protection, and anti-counterfeiting services to enterprise IP teams worldwide. It overlaps with Podqi's brand-protection offering but is a much broader IP-services platform with established enterprise relationships.
- MarkMonitor (Clarivate): MarkMonitor, a Clarivate brand, is a long-standing incumbent in enterprise brand protection and online IP enforcement for global corporations. It competes with Podqi across similar use cases but as part of a much larger IP intelligence and services portfolio.
- ZeroFox: ZeroFox delivers external threat protection including brand protection, anti-phishing, and digital risk monitoring for enterprises. Its broader external-attack-surface focus overlaps with Podqi's enforcement use cases but addresses a wider threat landscape.
- OpSec Security (Validate Authenticity): OpSec Security offers brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, and authentication solutions with a mix of physical and digital enforcement. It competes with Podqi in online counterfeit detection but spans a wider IP-protection stack including physical product authentication.
Others
- PhishLabs (Fortra): PhishLabs, now part of Fortra, provides digital risk protection including brand-related threat takedown services. While its core focus is phishing and fraud, its enterprise takedown operations are thematically adjacent to Podqi's brand-protection workflow.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Podqi social profiles
Digital presencePodqi financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Podqi leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Podqi funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Podqi M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Podqi
What does Podqi do?
Podqi is an AI-native SaaS platform that detects IP and brand infringements across 1,500+ marketplaces, domains, app stores, and social platforms, then automates takedowns and produces litigation-ready evidence packages. Its AI handles 95% of enforcement without human intervention, with proprietary image-matching at 99.8% accuracy. A free self-service companion tool, Brandsweep.ai, lets any brand scan for IP abuse before upgrading to the paid platform.
Is Podqi a public or private company?
Podqi is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Podqi founded?
Podqi was founded in 2024. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Podqi based?
Podqi is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Podqi make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. SaaS Platform Subscription is the primary driver. The others are professional Services.
Who are Podqi's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BrandShield, Red Points and Bolster. Emerging players are SnapDragon Monitoring and MarqVision. Broad incumbents are Corsearch, MarkMonitor (Clarivate), ZeroFox and OpSec Security (Validate Authenticity). PhishLabs (Fortra) is listed as an others.
Does Podqi have an API?
No public API is recorded for Podqi.
What industry is Podqi in?
Podqi's product category is Brand Protection Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEANAG, Responsible AI, Security & Privacy Platforms (Safety, Guardrails, PII), with a secondary code of MPAJANAK, POD Distribution & Retail Integration (Marketplace/Bookstore Feeds). Its NAICS code is 561621 and its SIC code is 7381.